A delegation of 50 South African pastors and Christian leaders returned from Israel today, after joining an international gathering that brought together pastors and faith leaders from around the world to participate in the Ambassador Summit and Global Prayer event in the Old City of Jerusalem on October 7, marking the anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre of October 7 2023.
The 24-hour prayer event, broadcast from Jerusalem, united Christians internationally in prayer for the peace and security of Jerusalem, the people of Israel, the recovery and restoration of hostages and their families, Jewish communities facing antisemitism, wisdom for Israel’s leaders and unity among believers worldwide.
The major prayer event included over 1 000 pastors from over 100 countries and it is estimated that more than 40 million people watched the event live around the world. The event was hosted by Dr Mike Evans, a leading US Evangelical leader and founder of the Friends of Zion and Heritage Centre and Museum in Jerusalem. Evans is well known for stating that: “For Christians, Israel is not just another country on the map. It is the cradle of our faith.”
South African Friends of Israel says in a press release: “For SAFI, the presence of 50 South African Christian leaders at the event carries particular significance when the South African government has remained hostile towards the Holy Land of Israel. Thirty of the 50 South African delegates were representatives of the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF), one of the country’s largest faith-based networks. Its 252 member organisations collectively represent 26 538 churches and 11 million people across South Africa.”
“These pastors did not travel to Israel as politicians or diplomats. They travelled as Christian leaders representing congregations and communities across our country, and their presence sends an important message: South Africa’s relationship with Israel cannot be reduced to the position adopted by the ANC-led government,” says Bafana Modise, National Spokesperson for SAFI.
Back home, hundreds of South Africans joined millions around the world to commemorate October 7th, and stand against terrorism, at Rhema Bible Church, reports SAFI. The local gathering aimed to raise awareness about the brutality of Hamas and the attempted genocide of Jews on that day.
“There is a substantial Christian constituency in South Africa whose convictions concerning Israel are profoundly different from the policies and rhetoric coming from government. When pastors connected to thousands of churches are prepared to travel to Jerusalem to pray with Israelis, remember the victims of October 7 and stand publicly against antisemitism, government cannot credibly present its own position as though it is the only South African voice on Israel.”
The Global Prayer Event was organised by the Jerusalem Prayer Team and Churches United with Israel. Organisers described the gathering as explicitly non-political and focused on prayer, with Christians internationally invited to pray for Israel, Jerusalem, the hostages and their families and Jewish communities confronting antisemitism.
The South African pastors also participated in a programme designed to allow Christian leaders to encounter Israel and its people firsthand. On October 8, delegates visited Yad Vashem, the Nova Festival site and Israeli communities along the Gaza border, confronting both the history of antisemitism and locations directly affected by the October 7 massacre.
“As a nation that overcame injustice, we hold our own history in great …
[10:12, 10/14/2026] Nicole Mirkin SAZF Media Comms: Note to the Editors: for images of the pastoral leaders’ trip to Israel, please click below:
– https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wNbPVfmdjThxhShwA_yGw0vCR7HW8yx1?usp=sharing
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